LG Sinha: “We’re Building a J&K Where Every Disabled Citizen Gets Equal Opportunity”

LG Sinha: “We’re Building a J&K Where Every Disabled Citizen Gets Equal Opportunity” The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a very auspicious day for both the disabled people and the policy makers, said the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha. Friends, the disabled are one of the strong forces of the society. And today, through International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are trying to give them the message that everyone is united in creating such a system as per your dreams and aspirations. We will be successful in eliminating all those challenges and obstacles. and will make you stronger. Today, I can say that under the leadership of the current Prime Minister of India, Honourable Shri Narendra Modi, a special campaign, Accessible India Campaign, was launched in this direction in the year 2015. And I believe that because of this, many revolutionary changes have come in the lives of the disabled people of this country. Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC Jammu) is an example of the efforts and commitment of the Honourable Prime Minister towards the disabled people. The theme of today’s program of CRC Jammu is ‘Celebrating Ability and Preserving Culture’. And I believe this theme beautifully reflects the spirit of inclusion and cultural pride of the disabled, LG said. Our culture has always emphasised that people with disabilities have unique abilities. And so, physical differences should still not be seen as a barrier. We all know that Jammu and Kashmir’s daughter, Para Archer Sheetal Devi, created a new history. And she became the first disabled athlete to make it to India’s able-bodied team. Many such girls and boys who are disabled are enhancing the glory of the Indian tricolour all over the world and in the country, LG said. It has always been the Prime Minister’s aim to make the disabled people of the country self-reliant and their contribution towards a developed India should be no less than anyone else’s. In Jammu and Kashmir, I can say that the administration has taken big steps in the last five years. Today is the day when by changing the reservation policy, the reservation given to the differently-abled people in Jammu and Kashmir from 3 percent was increased to 4 percent on the lines of the Indian Government. And due to which, in the last five years, more than 565 disabled people have been able to get government jobs. The Government of India is running many schemes for education, skills and their livelihood. Together we should build such a Jammu Kashmir where accessibility for people with disabilities is ideal and every disabled child, youth, mother, sister can get equal opportunities for facilities and employment. The Indian government has created a separate financial institution for such people and the interest on the facilities being provided to them is still very low, LG shared. We have to create such a Jammu and Kashmir where every disabled person has access to basic facilities and also gets the opportunity to hone their talents. You must have seen the cultural programme presented by these children recently. I think there can be no better proof of their talent than this, LG stated. This nation is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Vande Mataram. You all will be happy to know that the population of Jammu and Kashmir is one percent of the total population of the country. But in the first phase of the Vande Mataram programme at the national level, Jammu and Kashmir has secured the first position. This is a matter of pride for all of us. And it is a matter of pride for all of us that Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir stood first in the entire country, said the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.